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Topic: Should we tell them? (Read 8224 times)

I offer people unsolicited advice all the time and have never had anything but positive feedback. Mostly I offer compositional advice or posing advice. If I see people taking a family photograph when I'm out, often I just take over and organise peoples family photo for them, tell everybody where and how to stand and how to frame a photo and take it for them. Most people are pretty happy when the get a professional family photograph for free. I suppose in the end peoples reaction will depend on the quality of the advice and how it's delivered.

Hi jebrady.I think when I offered advice, I started out with , "Hi I'm sorry to intrude, but I notice you seem to be battling with the camera for control of the flash? Would you like a little tip to give you the upper hand?"It seemed to work, a little lighthearted humour seemed to work, of course the pop up flash is probably the easiest subject to tell they could use a tip! I'm glad to see that some of you would offer unsolicited advice, I know if I was struggling and someone offered me advice I would gladly accept, I doubt I would ask for fear of them being unappreciative of the interruption!

I have no problem helping complete strangers. I see offering some unsolicited photography advice much the same as I see holding the door for someone, picking up something the dropped and bringing it to them, etc. You're just being polite. And I think as long as you do it in a nice way there shouldn't be any problems with practically anyone. Saying something like: "hey, that's a nice camera. I'm a bit of a tech geek, do you mind if I ask what model it is? **they answer** Oh cool! I've heard a lot of good things about that model - what do you think of it?" That right there will usually uncover frustration on their part. Then I'd say something like "if you're interested, I might know a way to help". If they say no then I'd respond with something like "yeah, like I said, I'm a tech geek so I don't like people touching my stuff either" then I'd smile and tell them to have a good day. If they take offense well... that's a reflection on them, not me. But more than likely, you're going to end up helping them.

Hi jebrady.I think when I offered advice, I started out with , "Hi I'm sorry to intrude, but I notice you seem to be battling with the camera for control of the flash? Would you like a little tip to give you the upper hand?"It seemed to work, a little lighthearted humour seemed to work, of course the pop up flash is probably the easiest subject to tell they could use a tip! I'm glad to see that some of you would offer unsolicited advice, I know if I was struggling and someone offered me advice I would gladly accept, I doubt I would ask for fear of them being unappreciative of the interruption!

I never offer unsolicited advice. If asked, I'll tell you what you want to know. The only time I'll offer advice is to friends and family that I know well and that I know will take it as advice and not criticism.

That is my attitude too. It is not my job to educate people unless they ask to be educated.

I think too many people worry too much what too many other people do.

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I shoot with a Camera Obscura with an optical device attached that refracts and transmits light

I never offer unsolicited advice. If asked, I'll tell you what you want to know. The only time I'll offer advice is to friends and family that I know well and that I know will take it as advice and not criticism.

That is my attitude too. It is not my job to educate people unless they ask to be educated.

I think too many people worry too much what too many other people do.

Happy to help someone out BUT only if they ask - no time/intention to give unsolicited advice to strangers as I'd be very annoyed myself if someone came over to me and show me how to shoot properly.

Hi Menace. Do you wait to be asked to open the door for the person struggling to get through it, or do you step forwards when someone is having difficulties, burdened with shopping, to frail to overcome the self closing mechanism, disabled? I saw someone struggling with their camera, and stepped forwards, too far removed from the door analogy?

Cheers Graham.Ps I guess if you take time to answer help topics you probably hold the door!

I never offer unsolicited advice. If asked, I'll tell you what you want to know. The only time I'll offer advice is to friends and family that I know well and that I know will take it as advice and not criticism.

That is my attitude too. It is not my job to educate people unless they ask to be educated.

I think too many people worry too much what too many other people do.

Happy to help someone out BUT only if they ask - no time/intention to give unsolicited advice to strangers as I'd be very annoyed myself if someone came over to me and show me how to shoot properly.

Hi Menace. Do you wait to be asked to open the door for the person struggling to get through it, or do you step forwards when someone is having difficulties, burdened with shopping, to frail to overcome the self closing mechanism, disabled? I saw someone struggling with their camera, and stepped forwards, too far removed from the door analogy?

Cheers Graham.Ps I guess if you take time to answer help topics you probably hold the door!

I never offer unsolicited advice. If asked, I'll tell you what you want to know. The only time I'll offer advice is to friends and family that I know well and that I know will take it as advice and not criticism.

That is my attitude too. It is not my job to educate people unless they ask to be educated.

I think too many people worry too much what too many other people do.

Happy to help someone out BUT only if they ask - no time/intention to give unsolicited advice to strangers as I'd be very annoyed myself if someone came over to me and show me how to shoot properly.

You be glad to know that I'll be first to help any old, infirm, pregnant, disabled person without a 2nd thought - however someone having an issue with their camera settings (a hobby) is not really the same.

I'm a very friendly guy and love nothing better than talking cameras and lenses but my personal experiences have been mostly negative when I've offered to help someone out without being asked so now I wait until someone wants my assistance then I'm happy to help out.

I also do not like to come across as a 'know it all' - giving free advice willy nilly to strangers but always happy to help if asked.

I offer people unsolicited advice all the time and have never had anything but positive feedback. Mostly I offer compositional advice or posing advice. If I see people taking a family photograph when I'm out, often I just take over and organise peoples family photo for them, tell everybody where and how to stand and how to frame a photo and take it for them. Most people are pretty happy when the get a professional family photograph for free. I suppose in the end peoples reaction will depend on the quality of the advice and how it's delivered.

I've found that people only hand me their camera if they've only briefly looked at mine. I think the outline of a 1 series makes everyone assume you are a pro but when they see just how battered it is they seem to think twice before handing me their gear. The cracked lens hood on the 70-200 which is superglued back together and then there are the big patches of missing paint on the hump of the prism where the camera has quickly been dropped on the ground and scraped a bit looks a bit tatty

The only place I will give unsolicited advice is at the zoo when people are using flash in the bits where you shouldn't be. I don't mind if people are ruining their photos but at least they shouldn't scare the animals.

Funnily enough the Olympic arena had led lights to simulate flashes in the stands, I never realised until I sat there.

I am happy to offer advice but only if they seem to be struggling and I know what the solution is! I am always careful to make sure that I don't make them look like an idiot and also that I don't make myself look like one!

I've found that people only hand me their camera if they've only briefly looked at mine.

This happened to me this past weekend. A young couple had asked me to take their photo and since they have a Nikon J1, I politely asked if it is ready to shoot? The guy replied that "with the gear you have, you know more than us and should be able to figure it out". I had the 6d with 24-105 at that time. Wasn't quite sure how to react but just asked them to pose and half pressed the shutter button. After I saw the camera was doing face detection, I proceeded to press the shutter button all the way. Took a couple of shots which I hope they liked.

I guess I should take the comment as a compliment

Back to topic. I would only give camera advice if solicited, specially to strangers. Some people's egos are just too fragile.